By Lauryne Akoth
Kenya Airways has confirmed the resumption of flights to Kinshasa following the release of its employees who were detained in Kinshasa since 19th April 2024.
“Kenya Airways confirms that military authorities in Kinshasa have unconditionally released our two employees who had been detained since 19 April 2024. We wish to thank all those who worked tirelessly to release our innocent colleagues,” said the company’s Managing director.
According to a statement issued by the company’s director Allan Kilavuka on 26th April, the two employees had been detained by the Military Intelligence Unit known as Detection Militaire des Activities Anti Patrie (DEMIAP).
They were accused of allegedly missing custom documentation on valuable cargo that was to be transported on a KQ flight on April 12th, 2024. However, KQ asserted that the said cargo was not uplifted or accepted by them due to incomplete documentation.
Read More: Kenya Airways Confirms Detention Of Two Of Its Employees In Kinshasa
“The court heard the matter on April 25th, 2024, and granted KQ’s request that the two staff members be released to allow due process. Despite the court orders, the military intelligence unit is still holding them incommunicado, yet these are civilians being held in a military intelligence facility,” stated Kilavuka confirming their detention.
KQ went ahead to cancel all flights to Kinshasa following the matter. However, in a statement dated 7th May, the company confirmed the resumption of flights to Kinshasa after the release of its employees.
The company extended gratitude to KQ colleagues who had been on the ground in Kinshasa and those in Nairobi who worked tirelessly to secure their release.
“We would also like to thank the Government of Kenya, led by the Prime Cabinet Secretary, His Excellency Musalia Mudavadi, and the Kenyan embassy in Kinshasa,” said the company’s CEO.
He affirmed that its employees were innocent and that they would cooperate with the respective investigating agencies and the relevant government entities in both DRC and Kenya.
“We want to reiterate that our employees are innocent and were only carrying out their duties in strict adherence to the laid-out procedures. We stand by their innocence and will continue to support them. With the necessary ground support in place, we are pleased to announce that Kenya Airways will resume flights to Kinshasa on 8 May 2024,” confirmed the company.
For inquiries, customers were urged to contact +254 711 024 747, WhatsApp at +254 705 474 747, or email customer.relations@kenya-airways.com.